28/11/2025
*PA 3624 Lt Col Qaiser Pervez (8 MAY 1928 – 19 JAN 2021),13 Lancers , 30 Cavalry & 23 Cavalry. 3rd PMA . Commissioned 10 February 1951*
PA 3624 Lt Col Qaiser Pervez, son of Karim Dad Khan, served with distinction in the Armoured Corps, commanding all three regiments he belonged to 13 Lancers, 30 Cavalry, and 23 Cavalry. He was born on 8 May 1928 in Multai, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh), India. Affectionately known to his seniors and friends as Agha, Qaiser had his early education at Urdu High School, Amroati, and completed his FSc from King Edward College, Amroati, in 1947. A keen sportsman, he captained the college hockey team.
Qaiser Pervez joined the 3rd PMA Long Course (GC 312). He began in Khalid Company and later moved to the newly raised Salahuddin Company. He was commissioned on 10 February 1951 into 13 Lancers. After completing his basic courses, he spent the early part of his career in Rawalpindi. Between 1951 and 1962, 13 Lancers remained stationed at Risalpur, Manser Camp, Rawalpindi, and Kharian. In 1957, he attended the Armoured School course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA. He married on 10 November 1957 in Wah Cantonment.
Maj Qaiser served as 2IC of 13 Lancers from 11 December 1965 to 1 February 1967. During the 1965 War, he was with the regiment in the Chamb–Jaurian Sector. He commanded 30 Cavalry for nearly six months (9 June 1967 – 8 January 1968) and later 13 Lancers (22 January 1968 – 5 July 1969). He then served as AA&QMG, 1 Armoured Division (1969–1972). He commanded 23 Cavalry at Harbanspura, Lahore, from September 1972 to November 1973.
Following his regimental commands, he served with NCC: HQ NCC Hyderabad (1974–76) and HQ NCC Karachi (1976–78). He retired from the Army in 1978 and joined PIA as Manager Transport at Karachi Airport, serving for ten years (1978–88).
From 1988 to 1992, Col Qaiser lived a peaceful retired life in Karachi. In 1992, he migrated to the United States, where he lived until his passing on 19 January 2021, at the age of 92. He was the last surviving officer among the Armoured Corps officers who had joined the 3rd PMA.
For historical interest, the following officers of the 3rd PMA Armoured Corps had passed away earlier:
Col Agha Javed Iqbal, Probyn’s Horse & 4 Cavalry (d. 19 July 2013, Dubai)
Brig Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, Probyn’s Horse (d. 2020; brother of renowned writer Ashfaq Ahmed)
Maj Fazal Mehdi Khan, 6 Lancers, 2IC 24 Cavalry
Lt Col Nasir Ali Khan, 19 Lancers
Maj Mukhtar Ahmed Sayed, 11 Cavalry
Lt Col Raza Khan (Jinger Raza), SJ, Guides Cavalry & 25 Cavalry
Lt Col Qaiser Pervez was survived by his wife, Razia Pervez, and two sons—Shahid Pervez and Bobby Asad Pervez—who reside in Texas, USA. In his youth, he excelled in hockey and football, and throughout his life, he maintained a deep passion for reading. He was admired for his politeness, benevolence, and generosity.
I would appreciate comments and recollections from officers—particularly from the Armoured Corps—who knew Lt Col Qaiser personally. I never had the privilege of meeting him.
Note: I am sincerely grateful to Bobby Asad Pervez for providing valuable information and photographs of his father from the USA. Many of these images are rare and historically significant, capturing the bygone era of the Armoured Corps. Without Bobby’s assistance, writing this bibliographic sketch would not have been possible. I am also thankful to Brig KM Nasir (Retd), 13 L, Brig Saad Muhammad (Retd), 13 L, Brig Raza Nawab (Late), 30 C, Lt Col Sabah ud Din Ahmed Khan (Retd), 23 C & 54 C, and Maj Muhammad Akram (Late), 23 C for helping clarify dates and details of Col Qaiser’s service record.
